Edinburgh Printmakers
Workshop & Gallery
By Susan Due Pearcy

It was several days before I was to leave for an early spring trip to Scotland when I came across an article from Printmaking Today, "Non-toxic Printmaking at the Edinburgh Printmakers Workshop" (Vol. 6, number 3, 1997), that my colleague, Helga Thomson, had Xeroxed for me.

I had visited the workshop in 1982, and had been appalled at the lack of safety measures. Even the basic use of gloves was not a common practice. I was intrigued with the efforts detailed in the article. They parallel efforts in the states for creating a safer working environment, and at the same time offering new creative possibilities.

I was delighted to see the Edinburgh Printmakers had an E-mail address (printmakers@ednet.co.uk) and I wrote them as soon as I got to my computer to see if I could arrange a visit. I quickly received a reply and a welcome with directions. It was within walking distance from the famous castle-down Prince Street to Leith, left to 23 Union St-near the Playhouse Theatre.

I spent an afternoon there, getting a tour and looking at hundreds of prints. I also purchased a small non-etch intaglio. The layout is perfect with a gallery space and administrative offices on the first floor, along with a well-organized, large studio space with separate areas for lithography, water-based screenprinting, relief and acrylic-resist etching. On the second floor are two more exhibition areas plus lateral files and numerous bins. There is also a window that allows visitors to view the artists at work below.

Keith Howard visited in 1994 and they have actively converted to his techniques since then. Healthy-looking houseplants abound as a witness to the safe conditions in the studio. They have taught intensive classes in acrylic-resist etching to close to 100 representatives of workshops around the world. While the studio has been given essential financial support by the Scottish Arts Council in addition to other public funding, I could not help but think that this could be a model for a future gallery and workspace for the Maryland Printmakers.